Martha's Vineyard CDO Summit

I'm often asked why I chose Martha's Vineyard as the location for the Martha's Vineyard CDO Summit. Well, there are many reasons. Many years ago, I attended a leadership forum convened by the late Charles Ogletree, a Harvard law professor, which significantly impacted my thinking. It's when I realized the Vineyard was a university without walls. There was forum after forum, the film festival, and authors sharing their books. All mediums spoke to me and left me wanting more. I've also owned a house on the Vineyard for 26 years, making it logistically easy.  However, the underlying reason is what Doug Melville has captured so aptly in his Forbes article, "Diversity At A Turning Point on Martha's Vineyard.” Diversity has always thrived on the Vineyard. It is where differences, whether our thoughts, work, profession, race, class or the arts converge. We come here to express ourselves and align ideas with action. Doug explains the importance of the Vineyard in August way better than I do. Please read his article.

I’m a HistoryMaker. On Monday, I had the honor of being interviewed for “The HistoryMakers,” the nation’s Largest African American Video Oral History Archive. My life story, which will be documented and archived in the Library of Congress, is an experience I never expected. I’m a small-town girl from Monterey, California, who grew up with a passion to make a difference and bring equality to the world. As I recited the journey, beginning with my family of origin and meticulously walking through every area of my life, I realized that I have lived a magical life. Not without hardship or struggle, but a life with richness, love, and phenomenal work that had an impact. Seldom are you presented with the gift of connecting the dots of your life and getting to know yourself. I left emotionally drained after our six-hour conversation but also spiritually full. A hundred years from now, when someone wants to know about DEI, my name and story will open up. For that, I am forever humble and incredibly thankful to Julieanna Richardson, Founder of The HistoryMakers. She has interviewed thousands of famous and ordinary people doing extraordinary work. I am proud to be one of them.

Congratulations to our 2024 Founder's Awardees! We are excited to honor you at this year's summit! #mvcdosummit Sesha Joi Moon, PhD, Sandra Sims-Williams, Miriam Lewis

We look forward to hearing from these impactful speakers at the 2024 Summit! #mvcdosummit Susan MacKenty Brady, Iesha (O'Deneal) Berry, Kendall Seketa

I'm thrilled to announce these incredible speakers will be joining us at the 2024 Summit! #mvcdosummit